Funding awarded to map the stocks and flows of technology metals in everyday electronic devices

E-waste is the fastest-growing waste stream in the world. The UK disposes of more than 100 000 tonnes of electrical goods every year and has over 800 million unused, unwanted and discarded electricals stashed away in homes. These electricals contain technology metals, such as lithium and the ‘rare earth elements’ (REEs), and precious metals, including gold, that are currently thrown away but, according to Material Focus’s research, are estimated to be worth a staggering £1 billion.

Significant carbon savings can be achieved by recycling electric motors and batteries from small appliances and other waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Recovery of REEs and other technology metals plays a key role in improving the security of supply and significantly reducing the environmental effects of primary production.

Currently, there is limited data on where these metals are disposed of and recycled; however, over the next year, BGS’s ‘Mapping technology metals in electricals’ project will generate new data that will reveal the amount of potentially recoverable technology metals in WEEE products, including everyday items such as cordless vacuum cleaners, e-bikes and e-scooters. The analysis will focus on two key components found in these electronic devices: the battery and the motor.

The project will undertake detailed modelling to quantify the amount of technology metals commonly found in electrical items, therefore highlighting the potential for recovering them. For example, neodymium, a REE found in the magnets used in motors, and lithium, which is used in batteries, are both found in everyday electrical items such as e-scooters and vacuum cleaners. Data produced from this project can be used to inform business models and support investment decisions for expanding UK capabilities to recover the value of technology metals in WEEE products.

Although there is some brilliant innovation already happening, many new products still aren’t designed to be easily re-used, recycled or repaired, and we lack the systems to recover all the valuable materials inside them.

We are delighted to be announcing the first of the recipients of our new £1 million Circular Electricals Fund, which will help drive innovation and support the development of a more circular electricals system in the UK. These ambitious projects aim to reduce the environmental impact of electricals by improving product design and resource efficiency, and encouraging collaboration.

Scott Butler, executive director, Material Focus.

We are delighted to have been awarded Material Focus funding to investigate the use of technology metals in everyday electrical items across their whole life, from first manufacture, through use and final disposal. We hope the outputs from this work will lead to the development of new circular business models and create commercial opportunities for recovering these valuable metals from end-of-life electrical items.

Richard Shaw, senior mineral commodity geologist, BGS.

Once complete, the report will be publicly available through the UK Technology Metals Observatory and the Natural Environmental Open Research Archive.